[PancakeWafflez]

So my car's got about 12k miles on it and I've had it since Feb. I checked my oil level and Its about half way from min - mid. I figured; "hey call the dealership, pay for an oil change and be happy'. So I called the dealership and the service advisor tells me -- "if it's low, just add a half a quart of oil to it and use CASTROL 5w30".

I then asked him; what if I bring it in for an unscheduled oil change; he then says "we dont do that, only scheduled services". So then I popped him a very taboo and insane question, "How much for and oil change if I pay?".

Guess what he said? -- I'll tell you anyway. $190.00

I about started laughing.

$75 Including oil and filter + 30 mins of my time = oil change.

Looks like BMW is starting to think their tech's are Ze Best.

[SteveMD]

Take it in. Tell them the oil is low and they will top it up.

You have full maintenance. My wife takes it in for windshield fluid, but she does work across the street

They are obligated to top up all your fluids.

As for the oil change interval, it is 15000 or one year for a free one.

$190 for an unscheduled oil change is not uncommon. This after all is a BMW dealership and not 'Dan's Quickie Lube'.

[Zeroday]

My dealer changed mine at 13k free of charge

[PancakeWafflez]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

Take it in. Tell them the oil is low and they will top it up.

You have full maintenance. My wife takes it in for windshield fluid, but she does work across the street

They are obligated to top up all your fluids.

As for the oil change interval, it is 15000 or one year for a free one.

$190 for an unscheduled oil change is not uncommon. This after all is a BMW dealership and not 'Dan's Quickie Lube'.

Haha..with the quickie lub comment.

I'm not trying to be cheap; I mean I own a BMW; still am in school and work part time and my parents dont help me with my payments or anything. So that's not the issue.

I just can't justify this 'hey we cover your services for 50k miles' but if you want to get your oil replaced if its so low that you're garnering on MIN; you have to pay $190.00;

I didnt know about the topping off thing; but I'm just gonna do an unscheduled oil change myself. Seems liek the right thing to do.

[epiphone3]

BMW dealers are beginning to be ridiculous and uncooperative. If you show up and say you want something and are willing to pay for it, they should smile and oblige.

Charging 190 bucks for an oil change is f**kin' ridiculous highway robbery. They should be ashamed of themselves. Like it was said above, I pay 70 bucks CDN for oil and a filter and do it myself and I don't screw anything up like the dealership monkeys do half the time.

[oldaccount]

Did they actually tell you the oil change was $190, or are you saying that 30 mins of your time is worth $115?

If its the former, then id seriously consider finding a new dealership. I had mine done at 5k for $80. Once, i stopped in unexpectedly for them to top off my oil They topped it off free of charge and replaced a faulty oil level sensor in about an hour.

If the latter is the case, then what are you doing driving a 3er?

[SteveMD]

Again...you have full maintenance.

This means they will top up your oil.

Drive in, tell them your oil level is low and read a magazine for 10 minutes while they top it up.

Or pay for an oil change. If $190 is too spendy for you, call other dealerships.

[HyperM3]

I say find a different dealership. I had mine changed out of pocket at 2500 miles and that only cost me $90 total.

[e90fanatic]

they will have to pay for your oil...u dont pay for it

[PancakeWafflez]

Originally Posted by Suareezay

Did they actually tell you the oil change was $190, or are you saying that 30 mins of your time is worth $115?

If its the former, then id seriously consider finding a new dealership. I had mine done at 5k for $80. Once, i stopped in unexpectedly for them to top off my oil They topped it off free of charge and replaced a faulty oil level sensor in about an hour.

If the latter is the case, then what are you doing driving a 3er?

Conversation went like this: BMW=BMW, Me=Me

Me: Hi, I've got a 335 and my oil level seems to be a bit low

BMW: How low?

Me: Mmm..Between Low and Mid.

BMW: Just add half a quart, no more; use Castrol 5w-30

Me: Ok, what if I wanted to get it changed before scheduled intervals.

BMW: I'm sorry sir, we don't do that, only scheduled services.

Me: Ok, you might be misunderstanding me; I'm going to pay for the oil change.

BMW: Oh ok, hold on a minute sir, let me ask if we can do that.

Me: About how much is it going to cost also?

BMW: Ok, sir we can do that; just let us know when you want to schedule it.

Me: How much is it going to cost?

BMW: Let me see *keyboard keys cue*, $190.00.

Me: Okay, that's just oil and filter right?

BMW: Yeah.

Me: Okay, I'll call you back with a confirmed appoinment date.





Do you need to still judge me as being cheap? I'm not cheap if that's what you're asking or trying to imply. I stated above; I pay for my car, insurance, gas, my bills, school, EVERYTHING, and I still live a pretty normal and fun like affording my hobbies and I'm still in school.

So -- money's not the question here; the question is why is their labor rate $115 for 30 minutes.

[e90fanatic]

u asked the wrong thing in the entire conversation

[e90fanatic]

Originally Posted by PancakeWafflez

Conversation went like this: BMW=BMW, Me=Me

Me: Hi, I've got a 335 and my oil level seems to be a bit low

BMW: How low?

Me: Mmm..Between Low and Mid.

BMW: Just add half a quart, no more; use Castrol 5w-30

Me: Ok, what if I to fill it up before next service.

BMW: Bring it in anytime and we'll fill it up for you for FREE!

.

[PancakeWafflez]

I'll fill it up myself, like i said, I'm going to do an oil change myself!

[e90fanatic]

whatever suits you but they are obligated to do all services for you. in this situation, it'll only be an oil top off

[karliejai]

just top it off and ur getting it changed in about 2k - 3k miles anyways

[PancakeWafflez]

Well, would they top it off with just half a quart?

[e90fanatic]

why would you want just 1/2 a quart? lol...Floridians lol. Just get it topped off then get a full oil change, do it yourself or get somebody else to do it for you after break in.

[EDK99]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

Again...you have full maintenance.

This means they will top up your oil.

Drive in, tell them your oil level is low and read a magazine for 10 minutes while they top it up.

Or pay for an oil change. If $190 is too spendy for you, call other dealerships.

Dealers are not required to top off fluids as that is NOT part of scheduled maintenance. BMW NA reimburses dealers for scheduled maintenance service. The do not reimburse for topping off fluids. It is the dealers choice if they want to be "nice" and top off fluids. There has been many discussions on here about dealers refusing to top off fluids saying it is not part of the free maintenance. If your dealer does it then good for them.

[Neurorad]

$190...that's a lot of money.

HOWEVER, you have to figure that the BMW mechanic is ~$100/hr, plus parts, minimum charge for labor = 1 hour.

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, I'm just saying they can charge what they want to. You don't have to get your oil changed there.

These mechanics really are highly trained, and if they're not changing your oil, they'll be fixing something else. Granted, it would take 10 minutes, if that...

$190...not surprised, but I'll change my oil myself or bring it to another BMW shop after 50K.

[BK]

If doing an out of schedule oil change, your options are (1) shop around at other dealers (all will cost $100+); (2) do it yourself (costs maybe $55 in supplies); or (3) go to an independent BMW shop (costs maybe $75-90).

[533ogetnom]

Originally Posted by EK_335i

Dealers are not required to top off fluids as that is NOT part of scheduled maintenance. BMW NA reimburses dealers for scheduled maintenance service. The do not reimburse for topping off fluids. It is the dealers choice if they want to be "nice" and top off fluids. There has been many discussions on here about dealers refusing to top off fluids saying it is not part of the free maintenance. If your dealer does it then good for them.

the free maintenance goes as far to say that windshield washer fluid and gas are not included, all other scheduled maintenance indicated by the on board computer is, anything it says is wrong except these two things is covered, for example a low oil light

go read it, thats what it says

[Revlis]

I'd just change it myself. 15K is asinine and the absolute bare minimum, I am a fan of Synthetics, I know what they are capable of, but no way is it healthy at 15K. It's a cost savings measure, not an Ideal.

I enjoy changing it, takes all of about 15 minutes, gives you a reason to be out in the shop being a man, detailing under the hood, grunt and scratch and you're done.

Too much pathetic Prima Donna bullshit surrounds these cars already, get a little dirt under your finger nails, you'll feel better about yourself.

Not aiming this at anyone just rambling... But changing it yourself isn't or shouldn't be a chore. It's "Bonding time".